The principles of national education. National education in political thought of the National Party (1928–1939) Cover Image

Zasady narodowej edukacji. Edukacja narodowa w myśli politycznej Stronnictwa Narodowego (1928–1939)
The principles of national education. National education in political thought of the National Party (1928–1939)

Author(s): Aneta Dawidowicz
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, History, Social Sciences, Education, History of ideas
Published by: Wydawnictwo OR TWP w Szczecinie
Keywords: political thought; National Party; nationalism

Summary/Abstract: In the period of the Second Polish Republic, educational issues constituted a subject-matter of interest to Polish political thinkers. Nonetheless, such issues were often perceived differently by the diverse ideological and political factions. According to such political entities, the interwar period was marked with the destabilisation of the previously-existing social, political and cultural order, giving rise to a new reality. Visions of creating a “new”, “better”, more moral and socialised man began to appear in the statements disseminated by almost all political circles. Such projections, however, entailed the rather disturbing perspective of far-reaching interference with the lives of all citizens, including their privacy. The postulate of changing the individual in order to meet the emerging “higher” objectives, social needs and “lofty” principles, was put forward. The National Party developed a comprehensive educational programme. The aim of national education was to build a strong nation, and to prepare the society for an independent nation and State’s functioning. The principal categories of the National Party’s political thought included work, creation and action. The condition of the Polish society was also thoroughly analysed, with the ideal Pole being depicted as a hard-working, thrifty, conscientious and diligent person, dedicated to nation and State’s affairs. Active and constructive attitudes were widely promoted, along with social responsibility, readiness to make sacrifices, self-determination and subordination to the individuals responsible for the implemented goals. National education was expected to give rise to “a definite Polish type” that would embody the truly Polish character and indigenous values cultivated from generation to generation by the natively Polish population.

  • Issue Year: 2019
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 25-36
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: English, Polish